Antiskid device



G. D. THQMAS ANTISKID DEVICE Feb. '25, 1930.

Filed Jan. 27, 1928 Inventor Q 3 2%0/7706 P ella Feb. 25, 1930 GEORGE D. THOMAS, OF'DUQU-ESNE, PENNSYLVANIA ANTISKIID DEVICE npplication'filed January 27, 1928. Serial No. 249,888.

The present invention relates to improvements in anti-skid chains for automobile tires and has for its principal object to provide a means for detachably connecting the ends of i the cross chains to the respective side chains whereby a broken or worn out cross chain I may be replaced whenever necessary.

.One of the important objects of the present invention resides in the provision of an anti-skid arrangement of the above mentioned character wherein the connecting means between the ends of the cross chain and the respective side chains can be readily and I easily actuated for assembly or disassembly,

means being associated with said connecting means to positively secure the same in its assembled relation 50 that the cross chain cani not be accidentally disengaged from the side chains.

A'still further object is to provide an antiskid device of the above mentioned charac ter, which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and further Well adapted to the purpose for which it is de signed. f

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description when taken in'connection with the accompanying drawing.

' In the accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a cross chain showing myimproved connecting means as sociated with the outer end thereof andoperatively connected with the adjacent links of the respective side chains.

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of one of the separable links showing the same in the act of being separated, and

' Figure 3 is an inner end elevation of the separable link showing the complementary I hooks disposed in their assembled relation.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numerals 1 and 2 designate a pair of parallel spaced side chains that are adapted to extend circumferentially around an automobile tire in the manner well the present instance, I have illustrated a single cross chain and the same is designated most side of the adjacent links of the respec- I tive side chains vwhereby said hook members "are adapted for slidable and swinging move-- known in the art. These side chains are usually connected together by a series of transversely extending tread engaging cross chains arranged at spaced intervals, and in by the numeral 3. This cross chain consists of a plurality of interconnected links and is of such length as to extend over the tread portion of the tire, but the endmost links of the cross chains 3 are spaced from the respective side chains.

For the purpose of detachably securing the ends ofthe cross chain 3eto the respective side chains,I provide the separable fasteners or links designated generally by the numeral 4, and this fastener or link comvl-prises a pair of complementary flat hooks ,5

and 6 respectively. The outer free end of the longer arm of each hook member is formed 7 with a'knuckle designated by the numeral 7, and the knuckles of the complementary hooks are disposed in alinement with each other and adapted to receive or engage with the innerment on the particular links as will be pres ently described.

, A laterally disposed lip 8 is formed on the outer longitudinal edge portion of the hook 5 while a similar lip 9 extends laterally from the outer edge of'the complementary hook 6.

These lips are disposed in opposite directions and the free edges thereof are slightly bent inwardly and cooperate with the adjacent edges of the opposite hooks to secure said hook members in overlapping relation whereby each of the separable hooks or fasteners 4: will provide a link for aifordinga positive connection between the outer end of the cross chain 3 and the respective side chains 1 and 2' and these spring lips 8 and 9 will prevent "the complementary hooks from becoming disengaged with respect to each other, but'it is be forcibly separated by sliding one of the hook members along the link of the particular side chain towhich its knuckle is engaged. I 1

In Figure 2 of the drawing, there is more clearly illustrated the manner in which the complementary hooks of each of the sepa rable fasteners is separated. After the hook sections have been moved apart a sufficient distanceto permit the lateral-swinging movement of the hooks, the hooks then assume the position shown in Figure 2 so that the endmost link of the cross chain can be readily disengaged from its particular.connecting link in order that a broken or. worn out cross chain may be removed and replaced with a new one.

The provision of an anti-skid arrangement i of this character will. save considerable exv pens'e andjwill obviate the necessity of having to entirely discard the anti-skid chain should one of the cross chain's become broken or'worn' out. 1 The simplicity of the link construction forming a salient part of the present invention enablesthe same to be readily and easily actuated and when properlyassembled will provide a positiveand efficient means forv properly securing the ends of the cross chain to the respective side chains and there will be'no possibility of the hooks of the fasteners or links becoming separated whilethe antiskid chain is in use. Also a separable fastener of this character can be manufactured at a very low cost and the same will bestrong and durable.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that minor changes may be made therein posed onthe outer edges of the hooks and disposed in opposite directions for securing.

engagement with the adjacent edges of the hook members to prevent independent pivotal movement of the link members on the link. 7 i

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

' GEORGE D. THOMAS. I

Without departing from the spirit of the invention and thescope of the appended claims. Havingthus described the inventiom'what I claim as new is 1. A fastener for joining chains comprising, a pair of flat complementary hooks .outer edges of the hooks and disposedin opposite directions for locking engagement each with the adj acent-edge of the other hook J to secure the same in their assembled chain forming relation.

2. In combination, a'chain link and'a fastenermounted thereon, said fastener vcomprising a' ,pair of flat complementary hook members adapted for. overlappingdisposition; to formia link, with their hooked ends disposed in opposite directions, the opposite .end of each hook being provided witha knuckle for slidableand pivotal engagement onone side portionof the link, whereby said hooks maybe separated with respect to each other, and'laterally disposed spring lips dis- 

